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Jim Ivins, “Late Night Drive”

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Jim Ivins

Late Night Drive

Official Website

Release Date : March 22, 2011

Available via iTunes and Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

In a world saturated with bubblegum poptarts, young artists like Jim Ivins is a welcome breath of fresh air. Ivin’s five-track EP, Late Night Drive, is surprising both lyrically and sonically to ears familiar with his other act, The Jim Ivin’s Band. Sonically, he is stripped down to the essentials so that his words take point.

Ivin’s voice is reminiscent of Ben Folds in the tune of Chris Carrabba, and it’s A-plus on this EP. Subjects covered through song include introspection and existentialism (which all twenty-somethings go through) to the very personal experience of losing a parent. Although a general feeling of malaise hangs around this album it does not weigh it down. Like the title suggests, it is reminiscent of taking a late night drive to clear one’s head.

Preview the track “Twilight” below and tune in to next Tuesday’s podcast for the audio review.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/12384745″]

“Twilight”

Episode 49 : Hot Pocket

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What is that sound? Why it’s the howling wind bashing against my single pane window. On today’s show (that was chock full of technical difficulties) Jill, Jon, and Diane gab about one Texas man’s new face, a gay porn company suing bit torrent thieves (what if this outs closeted teens?), and one woman’s amazing vagina. Seriously….54 bags of heroin….31 empty baggies, prescription pills AND $51.22? I think I know where we can find the lost ark, Indy. Oh, and check out this fun literal map of the world.

It’s a battle of SNL alum as Kevin Nealon takes on Steve Martin on this week’s Twitter Face-Off. Who will survive? Listen to find out.

 

This week’s featured song is “Honey” by Caleb Jude Green.

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Humpday Funny : I Like Your Booty (But I’m Not Gay)

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJOTBSE_3Dw[/youtube]

This little gem was featured in The Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters. Today is the day you dance to it at your office or workout to it at the gym. You can also find it on the film’s official soundtrack and on Le Sexoflex’s mixxtape.

 

 

Episode 48 : Beware the Ides of March

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On this unlucky day we have Jon and Jill in studio and Diane via the gods of the cell tower. Topics include a kidnapping case out of Parker County, the lost city of Atlantis might be found, and scammers taking advantage of last week’s tragedy in Japan. The cast also discuss comedian Gilbert Gottfried’s controversial tweets.

Today’s featured song is “Moments Like This” by Bryan Master. His album For People Like Us is now available on iTunes.

 

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Bryan Master, “For People Like Us”

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Bryan Master

For People Like Us

Bonavox Records

Release Date : March 15, 2011

Available on iTunes

Official Website

Similar Acts : Foo Fighters, Pete Yorn

This morning whilst stirring my sugar blasted coffee I thought to myself, 2011 so far has been a pretty good year for indie music. This trend continues with L.A. (by way of New York) based singer-songwriter Bryan Master, whose third release, For People Like Us, will hit iTunes and select retailers March 15th.

If I were limited to just one adjective to describe this album I would choose “solid.” Singles “Moments Like This” and “Let Me Come In” (featuring indie queen Liz Phair) are sleek and radio/film friendly. Lyrically, “Moments Like This” is poignant with subtle flakes of dark comedy sprinkled in.  Other stand-out tracks include “Karmacide” (an earlier version of this song is available on the album Incommunicado), “Born Out Of The Breakdown,” and “Lost Angeles.” The song “Paddle Out” is also becoming a fast favorite.

Photo by Adam Arnold

Sonically speaking,  the album includes what you would expect from Alternative Rock; lots of guitar and percussion, a piano ballad, and some well placed strings. Master’s voice is both strong and smooth and takes the spotlight on songs “A Pocket Full of Dreams” and “Let Me Come In.”

Master is known for putting on some great live shows, and a quick perusal of his Facebook page will illuminate some Texas connections (he’s shared the stage with both David Garza and Rhett Miller of the Old 97’s). Master’s will be playing a few dates in California in celebration of the album’s release, and hopefully a more lengthy tour will be announced shortly (and if it is, let’s hope there is a stop in Dallas.)

Monday Nerdgasm : Zombies Ate My Neighbors

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Think you can survive the impending zombie apocalypse? You know that shit goes down May 21st. To prepare I suggest you read this article from Wired.com. I agree, you should travel in a small group. I also think it wise to include at least one person you do not care for. Should it come down to a foot race you could always trip or sabotage him or her which could increase your chances of survival by at least 73 %.

Evening Bender : Tramping with Jeremy Matthew Connors

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If it’s Thursday, it’s time for Evening Bender. Paul and Jon welcome model/actor Jeremy Matthew Connors to the cat studio. Over a few adult beverages, Jeremy shares his harrowing experiences overseas. Later, Diane and Jon will turn his experience into a script to sell to Hollywood for a pretty penny. If you only listen to one episode of “Evening Bender” this year, this is it.

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Video Game Preview : Mortal Kombat

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPn94QQKAyw&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

First Impressions:

Well, artistically speaking the game has never looked better. Each character has his/her own character animations which gives them a little extra “touch of fancy.” The women have unanimously decided that spike heels are appropriate fighting footwear (including Lt. Sonya Blade), and the men are all chiseled and hairless. The backgrounds are also gorgeous. Check out those carnivorous trees in the Forest stage. The Subway stage and creepy church stage are also looking hot.

The violence is, of course, way over the top and unrealistic. I think it would be cool if the blood was less gushy. I mean, one punch to the face should not cause such a hemoglobous reaction, right? Now, near the end of the fight the gushyness should be 80’s B-Horror movie quality. I am hoping that the characters will show damage in their post fight poses, and the new “X-Ray” feature is utterly gruesome. Anyone remember the movie “Romeo Must Die”? Well, the developers do!

The gameplay appears to be “juggle” heavy. This is the only thing that irks me. I find it cheap and frustrating. I am amped for a return to the 2-D fighting…although I must admit, I did love the ability to slam opponents through walls and such in previous games. The game also includes a tag team mode which is reminiscent of the Marvel Vs. Capcom series. I know, I know…this is trite. It would be fun if you could be on the same team with another human player. Just imagining playing team battles with three of my friends gives me a nerdgasm.

Remember, don’t bring a fan to a knife/gun/fireball fight. The Kombat Kontinues April 19th. Check out the official website here.